A rural farming cooperative in the town of Laak in Davao de Oro has ramped up its livelihood operations following the energization assistance provided by the One Meralco Foundation, resulting in better income opportunities for members of the local community.
The project involves the installation of a 5.1-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic system for the rice milling facility of the Laak Multipurpose Cooperative whose operations have long been challenged by the lack of reliable power supply.
With the new solar facility, the cooperative has increased its production by over threefold to over 100 sacks of milled rice daily from around 30 sacks per day previously. The boost in rice mill production also provides additional capital for farmers to sustain their crops throughout the planting season.
LAMPCO general-manager Edesa Morante said the energization assistance provided by OMF also allowed the cooperative to cater to more community members.
“While power is a basic need, the impact it generates to our organization and the community magnifies how power in its basic form can change lives and make it better. We are now moving forward as a multipurpose cooperative and along with us are the many households that depend on our services. The benefits we gained from the energization will ripple to our members and the rest of the communities we serve,” Morante said.
The energization of agriculture and livelihood projects is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, rural health centers, and water access.
“Lack of electricity continues to be a challenge for many communities especially in rural Philippines. The agriculture and livelihood electrification is an expansion of our community electrification program that fosters inclusivity and equitable access to basic services powered by sustainable and renewable energy solution,” OMF president Jeffrey Tarayao said.
As the corporate social development arm of the Manila Electric Company, OMF is committed to providing access to energy to as many underserved communities as possible as part of its mission to spreading the light.